India and the UAE are forging a 21st century partnership

Sheikh Mohamed hosts a reception for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at Qasr Al Watan, on July 15, 2023. UAE Presidential Court

As Indians around the world celebrate India's 76th Republic Day, they feel a deep sense of pride and joy at their nation’s momentous achievements since it broke its colonial shackles in 1947.

As India marches ahead in the golden period leading up to what will be 100 years of independence in 2047, it is on course to become a developed country. Just as India looks towards a more prosperous future with unwavering confidence, so does the India-UAE partnership, which is among the most defining partnerships for both countries in this century.

In the past 18 months, there have been six top-level visits between the two countries. This is a testament to the resolute commitment of the leadership in both countries towards this partnership and the importance it holds. The realisation on both sides is clear and it is that our futures are intertwined.

An Assam police woman commando adjusts a cap for another commando before marching during India's Republic Day parade in Guwahati. AP

Indian soldiers ride on camels as they march during the country’s 76th Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP

Indian women soldiers march during the country’s 76th Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP

Jammu and Kashmir policemen take part during Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar. EPA

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the Republic Day parade at the ceremonial Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Bloomberg

Indian Air Force SU-30 fighter jets fly past during India's 76th Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP

Tableau from India's Uttar Pradesh state take part country’s 76th Republic Day parade in New Delhi. AFP

Indian Army personnel from the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) display their martial arts skills during the 76th Republic Day parade in Bangalore. EPA

India's Border Security Force's (BSF) daredevil team performs during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, January 26, 2025. Reuters

Indian Border Security Force soldiers offer sweets to each other during the celebrations to mark the country's Republic Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post. AFP

Indian children dress in 'Yakshagana' before Republic Day celebrations in Bangalore. EPA

Indian pupils and parents hold the Indian flag before a cultural event on the eve of Republic Day celebrations in Bangalore. EPA

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. EPA

Members of the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army demonstrate their weapons skills in a full dress rehearsal parade before Republic Day celebrations. Getty Images

The leader of a band adjusts the decorative frills of a band member's ceremonial turban. Getty Images

Artists perform 'Gidda', a traditional folk dance, during rehearsals for the country's Republic Day parade in Amritsar. AFP

What began centuries ago with trade in spices and pearls between India and the UAE, has now blossomed into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marked by strategic convergence and mutual trust.

In 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a "Joint Vision Statement" outlining the roadmap for the future of India-UAE ties. The vision of the two leaders has ushered in an extraordinary transformation.

Within a span of just a few years, the countries have started, and in many cases implemented, collaborations in payment in local currencies and interlinked their payment systems, AI and data centres, civilian nuclear energy, grid interconnection and electricity trade, green hydrogen, critical minerals, food park development, innovative health projects, and so on.

The realisation on both sides is clear: our futures are intertwined

The signing of India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) in 2022 gave a major boost to trade relations. The results are already visible in the form of surging trade, particularly non-oil trade. Last year, during Mr Modi's visit to the UAE, the two sides signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (Bit). In fact, the UAE is the only country with which India has both, an active treaty and such a partnership agreement. With the strong framework now provided by Cepa and Bit, the trade and investment between the two sides is poised to reach even greater heights.

Last year's announcement of the new Dubai trading market for Indian manufacturers, Bharat Mart, at Jebel Ali was yet another great achievement of the India-UAE friendship, which will allow both nations to leverage each other’s strengths and provide a platform for Indian businesses to access global markets.

The two sides have also begun working on a Virtual Trade Corridor, launched by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, envisaged as a crucial component of the futuristic India Middle-East Europe Economic Corridor. All of the above initiatives are potentially revolutionary and will bring businesses closer, creating interdependencies between India and the UAE.

The two countries are also connecting digitally and financially. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now widely used in the UAE. The UAE’s “Jaywan” domestic credit and debit card system is based on India’s RuPay stack. Rupee-Dirham agreement will enable the two sides to settle cross-border trade transactions in their respective local currencies.

The partnership between India and the UAE is now foraying into newer areas of collaboration. During Sheikh Khaled’s visit to India last September, both countries signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy. During the visit of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to India last December, an agreement to explore co-operation in polar regions was signed. Green Hydrogen and supercomputers are among other future oriented areas of collaboration.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

The two men explored efforts to bolster long-standing ties during a reception held at Hyderabad House. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Khaled arrived in India on Sunday for a tour including several events that will highlight the bond between India and the UAE. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Khaled is due to visit Rajghat, the memorial site built in honour of Mahatma Gandhi, before heading to Mumbai on Tuesday. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Khaled's visit to India is the most significant overseas trip he has taken since being named Crown Prince last year. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Last week, Sheikh Khaled attended the inauguration of the first international campus of the Indian Institute of Technology in Abu Dhabi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Khaled has visited the shrine of Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Ghat memorial in New Delhi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Sheikh Khaled observed a minute's silence and laid a wreath of flowers at the shrine. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Mahatma Gandhi is revered as the father of India's independence from British rule. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Sheikh Khaled expressed pride in the spirit of fraternity shared by the countries. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Sheikh Khaled planted tree saplings at Raj Ghat memorial in New Delhi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Sheikh Khaled also tended to trees planted by UAE leaders in 1975 and 2016. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Sheikh Khaled concluded his visit to Raj Ghat memorial by writing in the guestbook. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The establishment of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi-Abu Dhabi Campus and commencement of the courses at the institute last year is a symbol of the commitment of the two countries to create a future-ready workforce. Apart from the IIT, there will soon be overseas campuses of two other Indian institutions in the UAE: the Indian Institute of Management and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

It is estimated that more than 4 million Indians live in the UAE, the largest number of Indian nationals in any country. These numbers tell a story of their own, a story of great care and warmth of the UAE’s leadership towards the Indian community and the depth of the partnership.

The Baps Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi is emblematic of the countries' visionary leadership and shared values of peace and harmony.

So when Sheikh Khaled, during his visit to India last year planted an "amaltas" (Indian Laburnum) sapling at Rajghat, not only did he honour the tradition started by the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, but he also planted the seed for, and nourished, the future of the India-UAE partnership, a shared future which is brighter and more prosperous.